Worship By S.A.K. Olaleye Nigerian Baptists are not

different from other Baptists across the globe in matters of faith and practice. One factor that marks worship among Nigerian Baptists is their doctrinal expression. Pastors in Nigerian Baptist churches

serve as worship leaders that infl uence the congregations’ mode of worship. Nigerian Baptist pastors are generally dynamic and charismatic

in their presentations.

They take sermon delivery seriously. This makes the worship atmosphere lively and inspirational. Cultural differences infl uence the

mode of worship from one Baptist church to the next. The emotional display and zeal that people invest in the worship experience

depends on their cultural

contexts. Musical instruments that are used for worship may be a refl ection of the worshippers’ culture. The music, the dance steps and the mode of prayer also refl ects this diversity. However, this does not affect the core values of the people’s beliefs and practices. In the last three decades the Pentecostal

movement has infl uenced the mode of worship of many Baptist churches

in

Nigeria. This is noticeable especially in music, prayers and sermon delivery. The Pentecostal mode of worship is attractive to the youth. This has led to the exodus of many of these youth from mainline churches,

Baptists inclusive.

Baptist churches have been responding to this challenge by adjusting their traditional

modes of worship. Emotional zeal is put into singing and sermon delivery more than before in a typical Baptist church in

Nigeria are comparatively

today. African more

in their

worshippers emotive

in

worship than their European counterparts. However, Nigerian Baptists are generally more moderate

emotional

expressions than worshippers in other Christian traditions in Nigeria. Pentecostal and white garment churches in Nigeria are generally more emotional than Baptist worshippers.

major factors atmosphere

Societal and life challenges are other that impact the worship among Nigerian

Baptists.

Poverty is a major factor in Africa, Nigeria inclusive. The attitudes of the poor in worship are quite different from those of the rich. Poor people tend to be more emotive in the way they pray than the rich are. People in rural areas tend to focus their attention more on negative forces like witchcraft, demons, cultism and the like than those in urban areas. This affects the nature of prayers and sermons that people wish to hear and to which they may respond. Worship in Nigerian Baptist churches is evangelical in nature. The goal of soul winning is at the back of the mind of most Nigerian Baptist pastors. Whatever may be the purpose of the service, the salvation of souls is always paramount to the preacher. Worship among Nigerian Baptists is considered an educational opportunity.

Nigerian Baptists at WORSHIP

African worshippers are comparatively more emotive in worship than their European counterparts. However, Nigerian Baptists are generally more moderate in their emotional

expressions than worshippers in other Christian traditions in Nigeria.

The teaching and preaching of the Word of God are given prominent place and seen as the climax of the worship experience. Sharing necessary information is also seen as part of worship. Nigerian Baptists have certain values that they cherish when they come to worship. These values may be slightly different from one congregation to the next. This is because Baptists do not follow a strict liturgical order in their worship services.

Hymn singing is a constituent part

of worship in a typical Nigerian Baptist church. The Pentecostal infl uence has, however, affected hymn singing in Nigerian Baptist churches. This is why many churches sing songs of “praise and worship” rather than those printed in hymn books. Yet, people continue to cherish the singing of hymns as a signifi cant part of the “faith of our fathers living still...”in many churches. There is renewed interest in more hymn singing in many churches because of an increasing number of trained music ministers who encourage the singing of hymns. Music is currently attracting more attention among Nigerian Baptists. Youth, for instance, are more interested in music and this is drawing them to go to churches of other Christian traditions. Hence, most Nigerian Baptist churches are spending more funds to improve their music ministries. Congregational polity is refl ected in Nigerian Baptists’ mode of worship. Worshippers are allowed to be involved in most of the worship event. Worship leaders try to involve all members of the congregation who respond in one form or other.

The issue of worship among Nigerian

Baptists is important. This is given major attention in pastoral training and taken very

seriously among churches. The

worship service is the only forum where most church members are present. S.A.K. Olaleye is director of the Youth and Students’ Ministries Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

12 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE